Reversing apparatus for heating furnaces



1,488,988 G. H. lSLEY REVERSING APPARATUS FOR HEATING FURNACES Apri 1 1924i Filed Feb. 17. 1919 2 sheets-sheet 1 ANH 1,19%

G. H. ISLEY REVERSING APPARATUS FOR HEATING FURNACES Filed Feb. 17 1919 2 Shees-Sheel 2 lf l/ ////H,H/////////// Patented Apr. 1, 1924.

STATES A 1,488,988 PATENT orion.

GEORGE E. ISLEY, F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, .-ASSIGNOB. T0 MORGAN GON- STBUCTION' COMPANY, O'F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A. COROBAHON 0F CSETTS.

: a `.Y ERSING APPARATUS FOR HEATING FURNACES.

Application filed February 17, 1919. Serial No. 277,543.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ll, GEORGE H. lsLnY, a

citizen of the United States, residing at ,Woicestei, in the conntyof Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Reversing Apparatus for Heating Furnaces, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a .specification. Y 'llhe present invention relates to improvemen-ts iny the apparatus which is used with the regenerative type of furnace for reversing the course through such a furnace of the burning gaseous fuel.

The present invention partakes in part of the principles of operation which characterize the reversing apparatus forming the sub- ,ject matter of my copending applications Serial No. 207,090 and Serial No. 268,391, filed respectively-December 14:, 1917, and December 26, 1918. 'llhe present invention contemplates various novel and improved features in apparatus of this class, involving changes in the construction, arrangement and mode of operation of the apparatus of said copending applications, and in particular, the present invention contemplates the simplication of Such apparatus and the provision of instrumentalities operating to render the same wholly automatic in action. 'lhe several improved features are fully set forth in the following description and `ointed out in the annexed claims, reference eing had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the adaptation of my invention to a regenerator furnace of well known type..

Fig. 2 is a detail view,'partly in section, and on an enlarged scale, of the reversing mechanism proper. I,

Fig. 3 is a section on the `line 3--3 of P Fig. '1.

Fig. 4 is a section on the 1, and

lrig. 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating the manner in which the automatic reversal of the furnace is edected by the improved line of Fig.

apparatus.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the ditferent figures. l v lin my two aforesaid impending applications, there is disclosed t e utilization in various forms of a selectively movable hood structure, adapted to establish communication between different pairs of'a series of alined flue terminals, in the act of reversing the furnace. Associated with certain of the vHue terminals are swinging gravit -closed covers, each of which is adapted to e automatically opened by the movement of said hood structure into operative position with respect to its associated flue terminal'. Vthereas in said prior co'pending applications the reversal of the furnace is dependent upon the provision of either three independent instrumentalities of the character above noted, or two of such instrumentalities of a compound or double construction, the present invention is predicated upon an arrangement of parts which necessitates vonly two of such instrumentalities, each of the simplest construction, and each functioning with respect to one end only of the furnace. Each of these devices is operative with respect to three alined flue terminals, and obviously the necessity for only six due terminals altogether, in. contradistinction to thev much greater number required in the previous constructions, has the e'ect of greatly simplifying and minimizing the due constructiom'and in addition permits the disosition of the reversing instrumentalities 1nv close proximity to the regenerators of the furnace. Furthermore, the automatic operation of these instrumentalities, as hereinafter described, makes the reversing func- Ation directly responsive to temperature conditions in the regenerator passages, and thereby eliminates the guevork and haphazard operation which is characteristic of the reversal by human agencies.

As shown in the diagram of Fig. 1, which illustrates the application of my invention to a heating furnace, the furnace 1, of any well known type, is provided at opposite ends with the usual gas regenerator passages 2, 2 and the usual air regenerator passages 3, 3', arranged in the manner common to devices of this class. lin the use of the du licate reversing instrumentalities for suc a furnace, three coterminous flues are disposed at each end of the furnace adjacent the respective regenerators, and a single hood structure 4, 4' is operatively disposed in relation to each set'of said due terminals.

, notices@ the gas regenerator passages 2, 2 connect vvitli gas regenerator dues 5, 5', and the air regeneratorpassages 3, 3 connect vvitli air regenerator dues 6, o', Adjacent the gas due terminals 5, 5 are disposed gas supply terminals 7, 7, 'which connect with a coin1 mon gas supply passage e that receives its supply trom a gas producer, or other source, not shown. A staclr tlue 9 is provided vvit branches l0, l0 vvliiclilead to the respective air regenerator dues 6, 6', as shovvn in Fig, l.

tls sliovvn in llig. 2, tlie duplicate seal castings ll, ll are constructd to provide terminals for tlie several alined lines 5, ti, 7 and 5, ti, 7, the rims or langes l2 of said castings being adapted to maintain a sutticient depth of Water around and ttietvveen all oit i said i'lue terminals as Will loe well understood titl @n opposite sides, near eacli end, ot eacli ot said castings are provided tearing lugs or projections 13, vvliicli turnisli pivotal support tor bell cranlr levers le. Tlliese levers l, ivliicli are identical in form and construction, lint oppositely disposed vvitli respect to eacli other, are employed for the support and movement of tlie lioods or reversing instrumentalities 4,-, e, in precisely 'tlie saine manner as described in my aforesaid copendingl application Serial No. 268,391,

.Associated ivitli said bell cranks there is sliovvn a connterlialancing device 15 vvliicli diners somewhat trom that vvliicli terms part oi2 tlie subject matter ot said copending application Serial No. 268,391; this operat1 ing mechanism is adapted to function in pre cisely the same manner as that of said copending application,l as hereinafter described. lt is sutlicient at this point to state4 tliat tlie single lioods l and Ll ot the present invention are adapted to llave imparted thereto a. parallel motion precisely the same manner as described in connection vvitli the compound liood structure ot said cependi'ng application, as by tlie use ot a motor i6, or in other vvell lrnoivn manner; to tliis end two lioods Il, l" lic connected, tor movement in unison, by a link l?.

'llie liood l is operative with respect to tlie tine terminals 5, 6 and 7, and as will lie Well understood, is adapted to connect tlie terminal 5 eitlier tlie terminal 6 or to tlie terminal 7, dependingupon the position to' ivliicli. it is moved. lll-Uien the liood i connects tne terminals 5 and "l, tlie hood el con-r nects tlie terminals 5", 6'", and vice versa,

vvlien tlie liood l connects tlie terminals 5 and 6, tlie liood el connects tlie 'terminals 5 and 7", llacli gas supply due terminal 7 is equipped with a swinging closure 18, ivliicli is tlie counterpart of the swinging closures shown and described in my aforesaid copending applications; eacli oit said closures has a lug lil tor cooperation with the Water seal Hangs oi" tlie associated liood 4 or elf,

vvliereloy the movement ot a lioool into operative relation to the terminal 7 or l', as tlie case may oe, effects the lifting ot tlie associated closure; the latter'descends loy gravity to seal the terminal at tlie beginning ci the movement ot the liood to its other treme position.

ln each of the loranclies l0, l0 of stack tine 9, and preferably in close proximity to tlne tlue terminals 6, fol with which tliese branches respectively connect, is provided a valve or gate 20, 20, as shown in Figs., l and 2. Sucli valve or gate is lierein shown in the :torni oit a. vertically slidable damper, which is adapted in its lowest position to slint od `tlie branch l0 or l0 with which it is associated, but oliviouslyiany other torni ot valve may be used Without departing from tlie spirit ot the invention. Each valve 20, 20 is adapted to be operated by tlie movement the adjacent hood structure i or ll', and to this end a cliain 2l, or other suitable con-- necting means, is attached .between eacli valve and the sliort arm ot tlie lie-ll cranlr le which, at eacli end of the furnace, is immo diately above said valve les a consequence, Witli 'the parts in tlie positions illustrated by Figs. l and 2, tlie valve 20), d e to tlie der pression oit' the snort arm of the lever le which it is connected, is allowed to descend by gravity to close tlie lirancli l0; vvliile valve 2OA is lield l y its chain 2l elevated position so as to lreep tlie lirancli l0 open.,

ln tliis position ozt the parts, as illustrated in Figs., l and 2, tlie passage of tlie products ot combustion tlirougli tlie urnace is '7 from lett to right; at tlie .lett lial d end ci tlie furnace, the llue S is exposed to allow the passage oil air therethrough to the air regenerator passage 3 the from tlie producer, the i'lue terminal 7 is confined t'ne licor-il l and directed into flue 5 anc t nce to tlie gas regenerator passage 2 ot furnace, At the i'iglit liand end ol" tlie furnace, tlie dus tei-initial is closed ley cover lil; the products ot combustion in the tun nace, leaving tlirougli the gas and air regenu erator passages 2 the i'lues 5 and li directly to tlie o 3 are conveyed ov ancli lll,

vvliose valve 20 is lield open; will loe seen 'lt tliat suoli products s or other source, leaving l the point the movement of hood 4 opens thecover 18 offlue terminal 7', and thus the gas from the producer, or other source, passing out of flue terminal 7 is confined by hood 4 and directed into ilue 5, whence it passes to gas regenerator passage 2 at the right hand end of the furnace. The uncovering of iiue terminal 6 allows the air to enter the regenerator passage 3 at the right hand end of the furnace and, simultaneously, the closure of valve 20 shuts ofi' communica-tion between flue 6 and stack branch 10. At the other end of the furnace, the products of combustion, leaving the gas and air regenerator passages 2 and 3 are conveyed by the lues 5 and 6 to the branch 10, which is opened to the Hue 6 by the lifting of valve 20; it will be understood that such portion of the gases as pass through the flue 5 are confined by the hood 4 and directed into the Hue 6.

ln order to control the volume of air which enters the furnace through the flue termina-l 6 or 6', as the case may be, each of said flues adjacent the regenerator passages 3 and 3 is provided with a gate or damper 22, 22', here shown of the vertically slidable type, although obviously any other form of valve may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these' dampers 22, 22 is adapted to be operated by the movement of the associated hood structure 4 or 4, and to this end, as shown in Fig. 3, each damper has a chain 23 or other connecting device, which passes over suitab-le guide pulleys or sheaves 24, 24 and is attached to a hook or other connection 25 on the adjacent side of the associated hood 4 or 4. As shown in Fig. 3, a pluralit of such connection points 25 are provide in spaced relation along the side of the hood, in order to give an adjustment to the chains 23, whereby the degrees of elevation of the dampers 22 and 22 may be varied. 1With the parts in the positions illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and the air and gas passing through the furnace from left to right, the hood 4 allows the damper 22 to close part way, and thus throttle the entrance of air through the flue 6. Obviously, by shifting of connection 25 on said hood, the degree of this throttling may be varied to suit the conditions under which the furnace operates. At the same time, at the other end of the furnace the position of hood 4 is such as to hold the damper 22 in a raised position, to allow the free exit of burning gases from the regenerator passage 3 into flue 6', and thence to the stack. Obviously, the point of connection 25 on hood 4 may be shifted as desired to lower the damper 22 somewhat in order to insure that a proper portion of the burning gases shall pass through the flue 5', under the hood 4 and thence to the stack, as above described.

When the furnace is reversed, by movement of the hoods 4 and 4 to their other extreme positions, the positions of the dampers 22 and 22 are likewise reversed.

The movement of the hoods 4 and 4: and the associated valves and dampers may be readily accomplished by suitable operating devices, such as motor 16, lwhich may be subject to control by the operator in any suitable manner, such fol instance as that shown, described and claiinedin my aforesaid copending application Serlal No. 268,391. In the present instance, however, the reversing function instead of being under the direct control o f human agencies, is, by the provisionv of the novel instrumentalities about to be described, made wholly automatic, and responsive to predetermined temperature conditions prevailing in the furnace ues. To this end, the motor 16 or other driving device isplaced under the control of thermostatic elements which are exposed to the heat of the products of comp bustion, whereby overheating of the regenerat-orpassages of the furnace is effectually and positively prevented.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is indicated diagrammatically an arrangement of apparatus which is designed to accomplish the above purpose, Fig. 4 showing in section the duplicate construction of the dues 6 and 6', between the terminals of said dues and the gates or dampers 22, 22. ln each of said fines, in the vicinity designated, is disposed a thermostatic element 26 of any well known construction, which is here shown as of a character to expand lengthwise when heated, and to contract lengthwise when cooled. The expansion and contraction of the two thermostatic. elements 26, which are exposed either to the hot gases from the furnace or to the vcool air entering the furnace, as the case may be, is utilized to inaugurate the operation of the motor 16, for example according to the diagram illustrated in Fig. 5A.

To this end each therniostatic element carries a contact piece 2i' which, upon the eX- pansion of the element, is adapted to corn nect electrically a pair of contact points 28. 29, in the case of the flue 6, and a pair of contact points 28', 29. in the case of the flue 6. As shown in Fig. 5, the motor 16 is in an electrical circ-uit which is adapted to be completed by the expansion of either one of the elements 26; in other words, current is supplied to said motor either through the conductors 30. 31, which include the contacts 2S', 29', or the conductors 32` 33, which includeA the contacts 28, 29. Both of these circuits are subjectto the operation of a limit switch 34 of any well known construction. the same being here shown diagrammatically as a conducting segment hav' ing a gap 35 therein, and adapted to be rotated by the motor 16.W v

lVith the reversing instrumentalities in the positions illustrated, to cause the exit oi" hot exhaust gases through the lue 6', it will be clear that the thermostatic element 26 in said flue will gradually expand, and tinally its contact piece 27 Will connect the points 28 and 29. Thereupon, a circuit will be established through the conductors 30, 31, the limit switch 34 and the motor 16, causing said motor to drive the shaft 36 which is operatively connected in any suitable way, as by a connecting rod 37, to the adjacent bell cranks 14 of the reversing apparatus. The motor 16 rotates through. a suliicient number of revolutions to carry the reversing apparatus into its extreme left hand position, and this rotation, at the same time, causes a half revolution of limit switch 3l, so as to bring the gap 35 opposite the conductors 80, 31, thereby breaking the circuit and stopping the motor. ln this reversed position of the apparatus, cold air enters the line 6 and rapidly causes a contraction ort the thermostatic element 26 in said flue. @n the other hand, the other thermostatic element 26 in flue 6 begins to heat up and when a predetern'iined temperature is reached, the Contact piece 27 of said element makes a connection betvveen the contact points 28 and 29. riThis completes the circuit through conductors 32, 33, limit switch Sli and motor 16, so as to cause another operation of said motor to reverse the apparatus, the gap 35 of the limit switch be' ing at this time in the opposite position from that shown in Fig. 5.

lt Will be seen that the reversal of the furnace is made, by the apparatus above described, Wholly automatic, the operation ot the reversing instrumentalities being responsive to the temperature ot' the exhaust gases. ln other Words, the thermostatic elements can be set or adjusted to cause the reversal of the furnace, in every instance, before the regenerator passages ot the -furnace become overheated, thus maintaining the entire apparatus in a state of highest eiliciency, with the possibility for any damage to the tlues and regenerator passages by overheating entirely eliminated. lf 'at any time it be desired to reverse the furnace independently oit the automatic means provided therefor by the thermostatic elements, the motor 16 can be operated by depressing a switch or button 39 which completes the circuit 'through a conductor Ll0. The latteris connected to the conductors 3() and 32 in such a manner, as shown in Fig. 5, as to short-circuit both otJ the thermostatic elements 26. and thus, :in either position oit the reversing apparatus and the limit switch the switch or button 39 is operable,

desired, to about movement to the other posd'ion.

is herein shown 2 earch reassess arms are the maximum distance apart. rlhe force of the extended springs is therefore exerted to assist the motor 16 in the movement of the hoods d and 4'; in other words, the tendency of the springs is to draw the short arms of the bell cranks together, thus minimizing the force required initially to raise the hood structures at the commencement of their parallel motion. "When the .hoods are at the middle of this motion, the springs lie horizontal, at the limit of their contraction: from this point on, the descent of the hoods makes the force of gravity available to stretch the springs, and thus to store up energy for the next reversing movement.

l claim:

1. 'l`he combination with a regenerative furnace, ot' reversing' apparatus therefor constituted by two hoods, one for each. end of the furnace, and each operatively related to an air Hue and a gas flue of its associated furnace end, and adapted tor movement in unison in the act of reversing said furnace.

E2. rlFhe combination with the tivo sets of air and gas passages of a regenerative furnace, of a reversing apparatus for said :Eurnace, consisting of one movable hood oper atively associated with each Set or air and gas passages, said hoods adapted for movement in unison, in the act of reversing said furnace.

rllhe combina-tion with the tivo sets of air and gas lines ot a regenerative inrnace, of duplicate reversing mechanisms, one assoeiated with each set of air and gas fines, for changing the direction of the gases through said furnace, each mechanism comprising a single hood operatively related to the terminals ot' an air flue and a gas due to control the inflow and outflow of gases therethrough.

'lhe combination with a regenerative furnace, having air and gas lues at each end thereof, ot a. stack due at each end ot the furnace leading troni one or the other or' said air d gas dues, a reversing device at each end oi the furnace operable ivit` spect to the terminals oi' said air c aas fines, and means operable by the movement op? said re sing devices tor closi stack and opening' the e combination -l reversing devices for procuring the distri bution of the outgoing gases between the two flues at either end of t-he furnace'.

6. The combination with a regenerative furnace, of a reversing mechanism. therefor, and mea-ns responsive to temperature conditions Within the furnace flues for actuating said reversing mechanism.

7. The combination with a regenerative furnace of means operable to change the direction of the productsof combustion therethrough, and means for automatically actuating said last mentioned means in response to the temperature of said products of combustion.

8. The combination with a regenerative furnace having a reversing device for changing the direction of the products of combustion through said furnace, of actuating 4means for said reversing device, and means for controlling the operation of said actuating means by the temperature of said products of combustion. y

9. The combination With a regenerative furnace, of means for reversing the flow of gases through the iues of said furnace, saidA reversing means being controlled by the temperatures Within said flues.

10. The combination with the reversing mechanism of a regenerative furnace, of

means responsive to the temperature in the.

tlues of said furnace for operating said reversing mechanism.

11. The combination with a regenerative furnace, of a reversing means therefor, and temperature operated devices interposed between saidfurnace and said reversing means for inaugurating the action of the latter.

12. The combination with a regenerative furnace, .of means for reversing the flow of gases through said furnace in response to temperature conditions inthe exhaust flues of said furnace. l

13. The combination with a regenerative furnace, of a reversing means therefor, a motor for operating said reversing means, and thermostatic means adapted to establish an electrical circuit for operating said motor.

14. The combination with a regenerative furnace, of a reversing means therefor, and thermostatic means for controlling the operation of said reversing means.

15. The combination with the opposite sets of dues of a regene 1ative furnace, of thermostatic means associated with said flues for procuring the reversal of the furnace gases through said dues.

16. rl`he combination with a regenerative furnace, of reversing apparatus therefor comprising tvvo mora ile hoods, each operatively related to an air regenerator fine and a gas regenerator flue of said furnace.

17. rl'fhe combination with .a regenerative furnace having air passages each end, of reversing apparatus for said furnace comprising two separate hoods, each operatively related to an air passage and a gas passage of the furnace.

18. The combination with air and gas flues of a regenerative furnace, of a stack passage leading from one of the lues of each set, and means operable in the act of reversing the furnace to open one of said stack passages and to close the other.

19. rfhe combination with a regenerative furnace, of reversing apparatus therefor, comprising a pair of shiftable hoods, each operatively associated with anl air flue and a gas Hue, and each serving alternately as an linfiovv andan outflow passage for its associated flues.

20. rlhe combination with a regenerative furnace, of reversing apparatus therefor, comprising a pair of shiftable hoods, one for each end of the furnace, and each controlling the inflow of fresh gases and the outflow of burned gases in respect of the furnace flues associated therewith.

21. The combination with a regenerative furnace, of reversing apparatus therefor, comprising a pair of shiftable hoods, each operatively associated with air and gas regenerator tlues and with a gas supply flue, said hoods being movable in unison to control both inflow and outfiovv of gases through said iues, in the actl of reversing said furnace.

22. In apparatus of the class described, a movable reversing member cooperating with the terminals of a set of flues, a stack passage leading froni one of said fiues, and means operative by the movement of said reversing member to close said stack'pas sage.

23. In appara-tus of the class described, a movable reversing member cooperating with the terminals of a set of flues, a cover for the terminal of one of said flues, adapted to be opened by said member, a stack passage leading froni one of the other flues, and

means responsive to the movement of said reversing member in opening said cover, for closing said stack passage.

24. fn apparatus of the classv described, a`

the two sets of movable reversing member cooperating with the terminals of a set of flues, a cover for one of said flue terminals, adapted to beopened and closed by the movement of said reversing member, and a stack passage leading from one of the other flues and adapted to be opened and closed by the movement of said reversing member. v

25. lin apparatus of the class described, la movable reversing member cooperating with the terminals of a set of fines, a cover for one of said i'iue terminals, adapted to be cpened and closed by the movement ef said reversing member, and a stach passage leadfrom one of the other fines, and adapted izo to be closed upon the opening of said cove-r and opened upon the closing of said cover.

26. The combination with a set of flues of a regenerative furnace, of means for yprocuring, selectively, the inflow or outflow of gases through said llues, in the act of reversing said furnace, a stack passage leading from one of said flues, and means for closing said stack passage upon the inow of gases through said iues.

27. The combination with coterminous air and gas ues at each end of a regenerative furnace, of means for procuring., selectively` the inflow or outflow of gases through said iues, in the act of reversing said furnace,

Leccese and associated means for procuring the disltribution of the outgoing gases between said ues.

28. In a regenerative furnace, a reversing device constrained for parallel motion, and 20 an expanded spring acting on the centers of such motion, and adapted, by its tendency to contraction, to assist in the movement of said device.

J Dated this twelfth day of February, 1919.

GEORGE H. rsLEY.

v Witnesses:

RUFUs B. FOWLER, PENELOPE COMBERBACH. 

